Metallica's second Stockholm show at March 8th has been cancelled due to James Hetfield falling ill and receiving medical attention at the hospital. The show will be re-scheduled for May 4, 2009.

A message from Hetfield reads as follows:

"James here, alive, at about 80% but getting better. I want to say sorry for missing the second Stockholm gig on Sunday due to illness. The cause/diagnosis at the hospital was narrowed down to either a 24hr virus or a bad oyster... yes, hate to admit, an oyster could have taken me down.

I acknowledge and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused fans who had travelled near and far for the show. I had done everything possible to make it, and was at the point of falling if I stood up. On a lighter note since my illness, the support band 'Swedish Oyster Cult' will be thrown off the tour."

In the meantime the band posted the following statement:

"Oysters be damned, we're coming back to Stockholm, Sweden! Those of you who were at Globen on Sunday, March 8 know that unfortunately James was ill that day and we were unable to perform. That show has now been re-scheduled for May 4, so hold on to your tickets and we're hoping that you can make it back... we'll be there!

The ticket that you have for the show originally planned for Sunday will be your entry to the Globen for the May 4th show. If for some reason you cannot join us on that day, please visit the place you purchased the tickets for a full refund.

Again, our sincere apologies to all of you who traveled from near and far to Stockholm. As a minor token of our appreciation, and hopefully to make up for some of your inconvenience, everyone who goes to the May 4 show will receive a free download of that night's show at http://www.livemetallica.com. As you enter the arena that night, you'll be handed a card with instructions on how to get your free mp3 of the show."